Greetings Penn Central members and friends,

“Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.” James 3:13

I find myself celebrating the congregations that are working their way through James in the lectionary this Fall! This week’s lection opens with the above verse asking how we see wisdom in the world. I love the practicality of James. Life is hard (1:2-4). Seek wisdom from God (1:5-8). Live out the teachings of Christ daily, primarily in showing care and love for others, the needy among you (1:22-27). Avoid favoritism (2: 1-9). Be do-ers, not just believers (2:14-26). Watch that tongue, it is fire (3:5) that is used to bless God and curse those made in God’s image (3:9). Let your living be filled with works born of the faith you have and the wisdom you seek from God (3:13-18). Practicality is foundational in both church life and discipleship.

There is certainly an element of practicality to the Keystone Conference merger conversations. We are not the church that we were in the 1950s and 60s. It was practical for the four PA Conference Ministers to engage in a shared ministry conversation as we all emerged from the pandemic. We recognized our world had changed and that life from this point on would be different.

Delegates from the four Conferences at the June meeting in State College asked important questions that guided the steps of the Keystone Working Group during the summer months. Four separate bulletin inserts and 12 Fall Town Hall options are the working groups’ response as we continue to work toward the vote on November 9th. New information on staffing, mission, financials, and the transition timeline will be shared at Town Halls. While every question cannot be answered prior to a vote, our hope is to offer assurances that concerns are being heard and addressed as much as possible. The November 9th vote in each Conference is an up or down vote. Delegates will vote yes or no for approval of the Formal Motion that will bring to life ONE Conference where FOUR were previously. The motion can be found here If the motion passes (by 2/3 of each) it will move to General Synod for a vote in July of 2025.

The Fall Town Halls are focused on three of the big topics or questions that came out of the June meeting. The first round of town halls is focusing on staffing and budget, the second round will focus on the proposed mission focus of the combined Conference, and the third round will look at the role of associations. The transition timeline will be discussed at all sessions. Please register for the ones that best fit your schedule.

Make your voice heard: questions, concerns, joys, expectations. NOW IS THE TIME.

Our Penn Central Meeting on November 9th will be both in-person at St. Thomas in Harrisburg and online using zoom. Several locations are hosting watch parties. Each church is encouraged to send two delegates and ALL authorized ministers have a vote. Watch for those registration materials next week. The meeting will begin at 10:00. The Keystone vote will be at 11:30 sharp.. 

Shalom,

Nora

Rev. Dr. Nora Foust

Associate Conference Minister

Penn Central Conference

Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events.

Scheduling Notes

September 22 - Starview, York - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

September 29 - Hayshire UCC, York - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust Preaching

September 29 - Salem UCC, Elizabethville - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

September 29 - St. Paul UCC, Sacremento - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

Prayers for Penn Central Conference

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...

St. Mark's UCC, Lebanon

St. Paul's UCC, Lemasters

Dreisbach UCC, Lewisburg

St. John's UCC, Lewisburg

Register now for Keystone Study Group Town Halls

Due to the complex nature of the possible merger, town hall meetings on the subject have been broken into three topics:

1. Timeline, Staffing, Finance

2. Timeline, PA UCC Mission Focus

3. Timeline, Associations.

There are four opportunities to attend a webinar on each of the above topics. They will be hosted by different conferences, but you can attend any. The schedule is below; click the date and time to register. You can also find this information on our website on the Keystone Study Group page under Resources.

Poetry as Prayer

The American poet Robert Frost wrote, “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought, and the thought has found words.” In Poetry as Prayer, a small group of clergy will meet on Zoom to read poems, share with one another the thoughts and emotions that emerge in the listening, and connect poetry with our everyday lives. In addition to online meetings, group members may decide to schedule mini-retreats: opportunities to gather in-person for deeper conversation, and the chance to write their own poems. In community with other clergy, members may discover how engaging with poetry can be a meaningful spiritual practice. Whether you are brand new to poetry, or a longtime poetry enthusiast, we would be delighted for you to join us in Poetry as Prayer. The group will meet on the fourth Thursdays of each month from 1-2:30pm beginning on September 26th and covenant to be together for 1 year. Rev. Allyssa Boyer will facilitate this group. Registration is required, limited to PCC authorized ministers, and capped at 12.

Register here.

Innovation Grant Applications Being Accepted

In 2018, Penn Central Conference established an Innovation Grant program to assist churches. As originally planned, the window for applying for a grant is from July 1 through October 31 each year. Funding is from the Strengthen The Church offering and the proceeds of the Conference investments which amounts to approximately $25,000 per year and is supplemented as needed from other sources.

The Grant Application can be found here or is available on the Conference website under the Resources tab at the top of the page. The drop down list reveals Documents and Forms and clicking on that enables you to scroll down to the Finance section, then select PCC Innovation Grant Form.

This same application is for use by Lebanon Association churches and groups to apply for a St. John’s, Lebanon grant. These grants are funded through the investment proceeds of monies that were received from the sale of the Building of St. John’s, Lebanon which amounts to approximately $5,000 per year.

Both grants are available to either begin or enhance ministries of the church.

To date, this year the Finance Committee has received two applications, both for updating the church’s AV equipment enabling the congregation to make a more effective witness to their communities through their Sunday Services. It also will provide for homebound members a better opportunity to experience the worship within the walls of the building.

In previous years, the Innovation Grants have gone to churches and groups upgrading equipment and signage, starting a food pantry, planting gardens and create an LGBTQ youth center among other projects.

If you need or want any further information, contact the Conference Treasurer, Mike Price, at treasurer@pccucc.org or Paul Keller, Office Manager at pkeller@pccucc.org.

2025 Meck and Moss Award Nominations

Nominations accepted through November 30

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Meck and Moss Awards. The Meck and Moss Awards are awarded annually to Lancaster Theological Seminary alumni, of any denomination, who demonstrate commitment to the excellence of ministry. The Alumni Council’s Awards and Recognition Committee will select award recipients.

The Meck Award honors the memory of Allan S. Meck, who graduated from the Seminary in 1911 and served as president from 1947 to 1957. The Meck Award is presented for distinguished service in the practice of pastoral ministry. 

The Moss Award honors Robert V. Moss Jr. ’45, who graduated form the Seminary in 1945 and served as president from 1957 to 1969. The Moss Award is presented for distinguished service in the practice of specialized ministry (i.e., chaplain, administrator, educator, judicatory staff, etc.).

Learn more about the selection criteria here. Submit a nomination by November 30th here.

Association Events

October 13 - Lancaster Association Fall Meeting - 3:00PM

October 20 - Harrisburg Association Fall Meeting - Hummelstown UCC - 2:00PM

October 20 - Lebanon Association Fall Meeting - 3:00PM

October 26 - Central Association Fall Meeting - 9:00AM

November 9 - Gettysburg Association Fall Meeting - 10:30AM (fellowship luncheon following the Keystone Conference vote)

The churches of the Northern Association of the Penn Central Conference are once again hosting an Outreach Mission Event to fight world hunger. The Association is working with the organization "Rise Against Hunger", a group striving to end world hunger in our lifetime. Rise Against Hunger is a program that packages nutritious dehydrated meals of rice, soy, vegetables, and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. The packaged meals are then sent to areas around the world affected by natural disasters and conflicts as needs dictate.

The Association meal packaging event will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Centre Hall Lion's Club beginning around 10 am. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please consider contributing to this event by volunteering to package the meals and/or donating to cover the cost (each meal costs 40¢).

This is a great fun activity and no special skill or equipment is required.   VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteers can vary in age from 5 years old to 99 years old. The goal is to package 15,000 to 20,000 meals--meaning we need to raise $6,000 to $8,000 to cover the meal cost. We will also need approximately 60 volunteers. We are looking to run two shifts 10 am to 12 noon; and 1 pm to 3 pm. and 30 volunteers for each shift. If you feel comfortable you can sign up for both shifts. You may register online at http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/Centrehall2024 or you may contact Susan Rudy at 1-303-349-3028 and provide her your information and she will register you. We are also looking for a few strong arms/backs to lift 50-pound bags when the truck arrives to unload. They would need to arrive around 8:30 am that day September 28, 2024.

To sign up to volunteer, again please contact Susan Rudy at 1-303-349-3028 or 814-349-8334 (please leave a message as she works during the day) or go on-line to the site listed above.

To make your tax deductible donation, please make checks payable to Northern Association and mail them to:

Teresa Hockenberry, Treasurer - (please note in memo line "Rise Against Hunger")

117 Green Grove Drive

Spring Mills, PA 16875

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Susan Rudy

President

Northern Association, Penn Central Conference

Educational Opportunities

Registration is important for planning purposes, even for virtual events, so please let us know if you need to cancel your registration so we have the most accurate numbers.

Boundary Training in 2024

Via Zoom - 10:00AM and 6:00PM

These boundary trainings are a repeat of topics covered in the first half of 2024.

Intersectionality and Power Dynamics - October 15, 2024

In this session, ACM Rev. Dr. Nora Foust will discuss ways in which we as leaders in the church navigate ever changing power dynamics as culturally more and more important intersections are defined. Her participation in a training event with Rev Lori Tapia, the DOC National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries, and Dr. Sharon Fennema, our UCC Curator for Join the Movement, led to the development of this culturally relevant discussion. Register here

Undercurrents and Riptides Online - November 19, 2024

In this session, we will discuss the hidden (and obvious) dangers of ministry in an online world. From Social Media to AI to Pornography, the internet can pull us in many directions and not all of them are good for us. Register here.

Retired Minister Boundary Awareness Training – will take place on Wednesday, November 13, from 1:30 – 4:30pm ET. Registration is here; this three-hour training may meet Association or Conference requirements for boundary training for retired clergy

Congregational Boundary Training

October 14, 2024

6:30PM via Zoom

This session will feature discussion on Behavioral Covenants, Financial Boundaries, and Pastoral Relations. Anyone is welcome to join, consistory/council members are highly encouraged to attend. Register here.

Local Church

Registration form here

Learn more here

Church Futures Commission

Discover What Coaching Could Do For You: Free Initial Coaching Session for all Penn Central Clergy & Consistory/Council Presidents

The Penn Central Church Futures Commission invites you to experience the clarifying, empowering, and strategic benefits of coaching. Unlike a mentor or a consultant, coaches aren’t there to tell you what to think, feel, believe, or do. Coaches’ deep listening and intuitive questions support clients in their identified growth, problem solving, and strategy implementation, while evoking new awareness. One of the greatest benefits of coaching is that it provides an intentional partner who is there to confidentially support, encourage, and strengthen you in your ministry. The best way to understand what coaching is, is to experience it yourself. Therefore, the Church Futures Commission is providing free initial coaching sessions for all Penn Central clergy and Consistory/Council Presidents. For those wanting to pursue additional coaching, the next three sessions, scheduled over a four-month period, will be available at a 50% discount. Click here to access the Church Futures webpage, where you can learn about our two professionally trained coaches and to schedule your initial session with one of them.

UCC National Setting

UCC Webinars

These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.

Living Our Extravagant Welcome, A Two-Part Series

Sep 19, 2024 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Safety Training Series

Sep 23, 2024 | 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Living Our Extravagant Welcome, A Two-Part Series

Sep 26, 2024 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Safety Training Series

Sep 30, 2024 | 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Race to the Polls: Preparing the UCC for the 2024 Election

Oct 1, 2024 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Church Building and Loan Fund is excited to announce the agenda for this year’s Partners in Building virtual conference on September 26th and 27th! Visit the website to view the full list of speakers and panel participants who are ready to help you think differently about your church’s future and its role in community transformation. Early bird price is $65

The 3-month Jubilee program is for adults who are interested in weaving social justice into the fabric of their faith while learning effective tools to build a more just, compassionate world. This online program provides a foundational introduction to boost your knowledge, skills and confidence in working for change. Justice Jubilee begins in October and space is limited - apply today.

Scholarships are available thanks to the UCC's FaithINFO team.

2024 Financial Ministries Webinars

4^th Wednesdays of the Month – 7:30pm Eastern (6:30 Central)

October 23 – End the Year Strong: Making the Most of Year End Giving

https://UCC.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsdemqrz8qGNJJOs_gDoFH2nxcItmlhUGD

November and December can be the strongest months for giving in charities. How can we make the most of this generous time in our culture? The conversation will lift up ideas and messages to promote giving to congregations.

Christian Nationalism: What It Is and Why It’s Dangerous

Crossroads and Connections, an ecumenical group based in Lancaster will offer a Workshop event on Christian Nationalism: What It Is and Why It’s Dangerous. Dr. Greg Carey, an international expert on the topic will present and lead discussion on the history, impact, and concerns of Christian nationalism.

Three sessions, an hour, and a half each, with the same program, will be offered on the dates listed below. The registration is unlimited as Dr. Carey usually speaks to large gatherings and events. 

One date left, register by clicking the link below:

 Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Continuing Education Opportunities with Eden Theological Seminary this Fall! Check out these opportunities and know that Rev. Betsy Bruaw (mission theology global community) and Rev. Dr. Nora Foust (justice-seekers and peacemakers) will be facilitating two of the cohorts. These are for anyone and continuing education credit is available. Most content is asynchronous but there is a monthly synchronous zoom with your facilitator. Each cohort is $250 and grant funded financial assistance is available, just ask Nora. Contact Betsy or Nora if you have questions or check out the website for all the fall options (including UCC History and Polity) and more information.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry has fall courses available in theology with Dr. Eric Seibert. Courses are 6-weeks and include synchronous zooms each week. Courses are $325. Contact program director Dr. Darryl Stephens at stephensd@moravian.edu for more information.

Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry

Fall Classes

Theology I: Faith Seeking Understanding, Tuesdays, 6:30–8pm ET via Zoom, Aug 27–Oct 1, 2024

Theology II: Leadership and Community, Tuesdays, 6:30–8pm ET via Zoom, Oct 15–Nov 19, 2024

Instructor: Dr. Eric Seibert

Each six-week class is $325, Earn 2.5 CEUs

This class is appropriate for lay leaders, members in discernment, and clergy. Even if you've already studied theology, these classes will offer new perspectives and stimulating discussion. 

Registration and information: paacademyofministry.org OR https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/ 

PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.

Coming this Fall!

The lay and authorized congregational leaders can now obtain the Faith Formation Practitioner certificate through this new program. This initiative aims to assist the conferences and committees on ministry by providing a comprehensive course of study for lay ministry that is progressive, theologically sound, and based on the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers.

This Fall first-term 6-week courses begin on September 4 and the second-term 6-week courses begin on October 16, 2024. UCC History and Polity begins its 12-week run on August 28.

Explore all PATHWAYS course offerings on the PATHWAYS website.

We invite you to reach out to us at: www.pathwaystheological.org

or by email at: pathwaysregistrar@gmail.com

Current Openings - UCC National Setting

Church Building and Loan Fund

Regional Mission Interpreter Close Date: Open until filled

The Cornerstone Fund Loan

Portfolio Assistant Close Date: Open until filled

Penn Central Conference Ministry Opportunities Page